¹⁶ When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the Lord relented^(A) concerning the disaster and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the Lord^(B) was then at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

⁶ Our parents^(A) were unfaithful;^(B) they did evil in the eyes of the Lord our God and forsook him. They turned their faces away from the Lord’s dwelling place and turned their backs on him. ⁷ They also shut the doors of the portico and put out the lamps. They did not burn incense^(C) or present any burnt offerings at the sanctuary to the God of Israel. ⁸ Therefore, the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror^(D) and scorn,^(E) as you can see with your own eyes. ⁹ This is why our fathers have fallen by the sword and why our sons and daughters and our wives are in captivity.^{(F) 10} Now I intend to make a covenant^(G) with the Lord, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger^(H) will turn away from us. ¹¹ My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before him and serve him,^(I) to minister^(J) before him and to burn incense.”

²⁶ Then Hezekiah repented^(A) of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.^(B)

³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”^(A)